Govt Revokes Social Media Ban, PM Oli Assures Access; After 19 Dead, 300 Injured in Nepal Clashes

The government of Nepal revoked the ban on social media after 19 people were killed in violent clashes. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli said, “We will ensure the use of media,” while assuring citizens that access to communication platforms would not be restricted further. The decision comes amid growing criticism over curbs on free expression and rising public anger.

Nepal Protests LIVE: The United Nations demanded a swift and transparent investigation after Nepal police were accused of opening fire on protesters demanding the government lift the social media ban, killing 19 people.

“We are shocked by the killings and injury of protesters in Nepal today and urge a prompt and transparent investigation,” UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement, AFP reported.

Nepal Protest LIVE: Nepal's Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has resigned over the violent Gen-Z protests that led to the loss of at least 18 lives today. He cited the widespread criticism against the current government in handling the situation as the reason to step down from his office on moral grounds. He also called the loss of lives in the protests as ‘unimaginable’.

Nepal Protest LIVE: Nepal's Centrist political party The Rastriya Swatantra Party calls for fresh elections. RSP General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti criticized the administration for resorting to excessive force on the youth protestors

Nepal Protest LIVE: A protestor says, “We are here to protest against the corruption and the ban on social media. There are people dying on the streets. I have seen more than 15 people being shot. There is not enough ambulances, and the hospitals are running out of resources. The government does not care about us. This government does not care about us.”

Nepal Protest LIVE: An alert has been issued on the India-Nepal border, considering a protest in Nepal. Sashastra Seema Bal is keeping a close watch on the development,” officials told ANI

Nepal Protest LIVE: People in Kathmandu stage a massive protest against the government over alleged corruption and the recent ban on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and others. At least 18 people have died and more than 250 people have been injured in today's protest: Nepal's Health Ministry.

Nepal Protest LIVE: Amid surging unrest in Kathmandu, young demonstrators reportedly resorted to stone pelting at Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s residence in Damak, Jhapa district.

Nepal’s opposition parties have formally demanded the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, citing a series of alleged governance failures.

Nepal Protest LIVE: In an exclusive chat with Republic, RPP member Khusbu Oli says that this generation is not violent. The government is trying to manipulate the narrative by planning violent infiltrations. 

Nepal Protest LIVE: Nepal's cabinet to meet at 6 PM to discuss the controversial decision to ban 26 social media platforms in the country that led to the violent Gen-Z protests that have already claimed the lives of 14 protestors. As per reports, the cabinet may reconsider the decision and lift the ban. 

Nepal Protest LIVE: In an exclusive chat with the Republic, Nepal's former Deputy CM Rajendra Mahato says that the youth of the Nepal is frustrated by the ‘nalayakpan’ of the current government, which has given rise to the violent clashes. 

Nepal Protest LIVE: Death toll for Nepal's Gen-Z protest reaches 14 as youth engage with the authority in a bloody struggle opposing the social media ban in Nepal. Tensions escalated outside Kathmandu's Parliament as police clashed with protesters demonstrating against Nepal's recent ban on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The situation turned violent when police discharged their firearms into the crowd.

Nepal Protest LIVE: Owing to the increased violence in the Gen-Z protest in Nepal's Baneshwar, the authorities have now extended the curfew to other areas. Currently, this includes the President's residence, Shital Niwas area, Maharajgunj, the vice-president's residence in Lainchaur, all sides of Singha Durbar, the prime minister's residence in Baluwatar, and surrounding areas.

Nepal Protest LIVE: A protester says, "We were planning to hold a peaceful protest, but as we advanced further, we could see the violence by the police. The police are firing on the people, which is against the essence of peaceful protest. Those who are sitting in power cannot impose their power on us. Anti-corruption protests are being suppressed, which is against the freedom of speech and the right to expression. The Police have been firing at protestors..."

Nepal Protest LIVE: Protestors vandalise the Parliament gate as the protest turned violent in Kathmandu, as people staged a massive protest against the ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media sites, leading to clashes between police and protesters.